Rebirth of the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao doesn't want to be a widow anymore

Chapter 339 Sheep Enters Tiger's Mouth 2
When Qiao Wei woke up, he had already been taken to Xinye.

Liu Bei confined her to a room, and took away everything useful except for a few hairpins used to tie her hair.

Xu Shu sat on the other side of the table and handed over paper and pen, saying, "Please write, Madam."

Qiao Wei looked around the room and pretended to be clueless. "I don't know what Mr. Xu wants me to write."

"With your intelligence, Madam, do you not know why General Zuo invited you here?"

Qiao Wei shook her head, her eyes wide open in an innocent manner, "General Zuo is a member of the imperial family. How could I, an ordinary woman, possibly know what he is thinking?"

"Did you not know that the Marquis of Nanchang suddenly raised troops to attack the three counties of Jingzhou?"

“This is the Lord’s foreign affairs. Whatever he does, he will not inform a mere woman like me.” Qiao Wei did not respond.

Xu Shu wasn't annoyed. "But Madam already knows."

"Yes, I understand." Qiao Wei spread her hands and said with a smile, "But it's no use knowing! I've already said that it's the Lord's business. What does it have to do with a woman like me who can't even kill a chicken?"
"Does Your Majesty expect you to obey my every word?"

"Actually, Madam, there's no need to play dumb. While the Marquis is fighting in Changsha, you secretly sneaked into Deng County to recruit talents. Anyone can see that Madam's actions have a deeper meaning!"

"As Mr. Zhuge said, Mr. Wu met him during his travels and, upon hearing that Madam Huang was unwell, came to visit her. Mr. Wu and I share the same sentiment."

Xu Shu narrowed his eyes and continued, "Madam is quite adept at beating around the bush, but if you continue to be so oblivious to the times, even if you don't write a letter today, these hands can still serve as a token to you, my lord."

It means that Qiao Wei's hand should be cut off.

A lamb entering a tiger's den will ultimately find itself unable to protect itself.

These days, when war breaks out, there's no such thing as martial ethics; as long as you can win, any means are acceptable.

"Do you think that if the Lord knew that I was captured by the Left General in Xinye, he would withdraw his troops?"

Qiao Wei remained calm, but her hands were clenching so tightly under her sleeves that they were almost bleeding. "Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. If you were in my shoes, would you choose between a woman and three cities?"

Xu Shu did not respond immediately, but instead quietly looked at Qiao Wei.

Qiao Wei continued, "I almost forgot, Mr. Zhuge said that Mr. Xu is a kind and filial person, so he thought that if he used me as a hostage, the Lord would have some reservations."

But the truth is, between me and the three cities, he wouldn't choose me. Between ambition and a woman, most people wouldn't choose as you think, sir.

"Then there's no need for you to trouble yourself, Madam. Just write it down." Xu Shu handed over paper and pen again, this time much more eager than before.

Clearly, he didn't have that much patience left.

“Okay, I can write it.” Qiao Wei readily took the paper and pen. “But I have one condition.”

"Please speak, Madam."

"I need to confirm the safety of Mr. Wu and the two bodyguards beside me."

Wu Fan was of no use to Liu Bei, so Liu Bei simply had him and two guards imprisoned.

Xu Shu sent someone to invite him.

"Madam does care a lot about her subordinates."

"It's not just that. Many people in Jiangdong are saying that Mr. Wu is my lover. Haven't you heard about that?"

Xu Shu was surprised that Qiao Wei would speak so recklessly, making such a rude thing seem perfectly reasonable.

Instead, it makes it difficult for people to distinguish which of her words are true and which are false.

Wu Fan, Youxuan, and Youkui were brought in bound hand and foot, but Qiao Wei only got a glimpse of them at the window of the house. Youxuan had some wounds on her body, suggesting she had been tortured in the army.

Fortunately, everyone is safe and sound, which is already a great relief.

However, this also confirmed one thing for Qiao Wei: Xu Shu didn't actually have any more trump cards besides himself.

This actually gave Qiao Wei more confidence.

"If I write a letter, will you let them leave, sir?"

Qiao Wei picked up the pen, his movements slow and deliberate. He dipped the pen in ink, and just as the ink was about to touch the paper, he suddenly raised his hand and looked at Xu Shu.

Xu Shu said calmly, "If Madam cares so much, I should keep the person here instead."

“Everyone says they’re my lovers, so I should be somewhat concerned about their romantic favors.” Qiao Wei’s words were blunt, but then she added, “However, I think it would be better for you to send them away.”

Xu Shu raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh?"

"Do you think that if the Lord knew they were still with me, even if he had ever considered withdrawing his troops to rescue me, he probably wouldn't have even considered it!"

After all, not many men can truly accept their wives openly having multiple partners. Especially someone as high-ranking as Sun Quan.

Qiao Wei wrote four words on the paper: "Come quickly, save me."

Then he casually handed the paper to Xu Shu, saying, "All done."

Xu Shu looked at the four large characters on the paper, "Is Madam being perfunctory with me?"

"I come from the Qiao family of Wan County, but I haven't read many books. If I were to write a long and eloquent treatise, I'm afraid Your Excellency wouldn't believe me!"

Xu Shu gave Qiao Wei a deep look before finally accepting the paper.

Only the couple themselves know exactly how they communicate.

Given Qiao Wei's cunning nature, it's quite impressive that he can write even these few words.

He turned and left, saying, "Then Madam, please get some rest!"

“Mr. Xu is indeed as Mr. Zhuge said, extremely filial and virtuous.” Qiao Wei suddenly spoke up, “That is precisely why I can’t understand it.”

"What can't you understand?" Xu Shu turned to look at her.

"I can't understand why Mr. Xu would choose General Zuo as his leader."

Xu Shu frowned, not understanding why Qiao Wei said this. "How could I not understand? General Zuo is benevolent and a member of the Han imperial family. It is my good fortune to have such a lord in these chaotic times."

“I just asked you, sir, if your family were kidnapped, you would definitely go to rescue them. But as far as I know, General Zuo is not that kind of person.”

When Liu Bei fled from Cao Cao, he left his wife, children, and Guan Yu with Cao Cao in order to gain Cao Cao's trust.

Although Guan Yu later escorted Lady Gan all the way to follow Liu Bei.

At that time, no one knew whether Cao Cao would kill his wife and children in a fit of rage, or even kill Guan Yu to vent his anger, after all, Cao Cao had a history of massacring Tao Qian of Xuzhou.

Therefore, in fact, Liu Bei had already regarded Lady Gan and Guan Yu as expendable pawns long ago.

Guan Yu's unwavering loyalty and companionship earned him a reputation for righteousness, causing people to forget Liu Bei's callousness.

"So, if I'm not mistaken, the scheme to hold me hostage and force the Lord to withdraw his troops was not Mr. Xu's original intention, but rather the Left General's. So, does Mr. Xu think such a person can be considered benevolent?"